June 26 spans from the birth of Grand Prix racing in 1906 to dramatic World Cup moments in 2018, with a heavyweight upset at Yankee Stadium and one of the most loaded NBA Draft classes in history falling in between.

Featured Events

The First Grand Prix Motor Race (1906)

The inaugural Grand Prix took place near Le Mans, France, establishing the format that would define motorsport for the next century. Hungarian driver Ferenc Szisz won the two-day, 1,238-kilometer race in a Renault, completing 12 laps of a massive triangular circuit in just over 12 hours of driving time. The event, organized by the Automobile Club de France, attracted entries from Fiat, Mercedes, Clement-Bayard and other manufacturers competing over public roads. Grand Prix racing would evolve from this starting point into Formula One and the entire tradition of international open-wheel competition.

Ingemar Johansson Shocks Floyd Patterson for Heavyweight Title (1959)

Swedish challenger Ingemar Johansson knocked down heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson seven times in the third round at Yankee Stadium before referee Ruby Goldstein stopped the fight. Patterson, who had been a dominant champion, never saw the onslaught coming. Johansson became the first and still only Swedish world heavyweight champion in boxing history. His powerful right hand, which he called “Ingo’s Bingo,” turned what many expected to be a routine defense into one of boxing’s signature upsets of the 1950s.

The 2003 NBA Draft Class (2003)

The 2003 NBA Draft at Madison Square Garden produced one of the greatest draft classes in league history. LeBron James went first overall to the Cleveland Cavaliers, followed by Darko Milicic to Detroit, Carmelo Anthony to Denver, Chris Bosh to Toronto and Dwyane Wade to Miami. The top five selections produced four future Hall of Famers and 15 combined championships. James went on to become one of basketball’s all-time greats, while Wade and Anthony each built careers worthy of enshrinement.

Messi’s World Cup Rescue: Argentina 2-1 Nigeria (2018)

Facing elimination at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Argentina survived on a dramatic 86th-minute goal from Marcos Rojo. Lionel Messi had opened the scoring in the 14th minute, becoming the third Argentine after Diego Maradona and Gabriel Batistuta to score in three separate World Cups. Victor Moses equalized from the penalty spot in the 51st minute, leaving Argentina’s tournament hanging by a thread until Rojo’s late volley sent the team through to the Round of 16. It was one of the most dramatic group-stage conclusions in World Cup history.

David Platt’s 119th-Minute Volley Sends England Through (1990)

In the Round of 16 at the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Bologna, substitute David Platt scored a spectacular volley on the turn from a Paul Gascoigne free kick in the 119th minute to give England a 1-0 victory over Belgium. The goal, struck in the final minute of extra time with penalties looming, became one of the most iconic strikes in World Cup history and propelled England’s run to the semifinals.

Additional Notable Events

• 2015: Edmonton Oilers select Connor McDavid first overall in the NHL Draft, widely considered the most talented prospect since Sidney Crosby.
• 2014: United States advances to the World Cup Round of 16 despite a 1-0 loss to Germany; Algeria qualifies for the knockout stage for the first time in their history.
• 2010: Ghana eliminates the United States 2-1 in extra time at the World Cup Round of 16 on an Asamoah Gyan 93rd-minute winner.
• 2004: Washington Capitals select Alexander Ovechkin first overall in the NHL Draft; Pittsburgh Penguins take Evgeni Malkin second.
• 2000: Vince Spadea ends his record 21-match losing streak on the opening day of Wimbledon, defeating 14th seed Greg Rusedski.